Strengthening child protection: supporting families and preventing institutionalization

Ensuring that every child can grow up in a safe family environment is one of the key principles of child rights protection. During wartime, the need to support families and prevent the separation of children from their relatives has become even more urgent.

Regional coordinator Oksana Ivatina completed training under the “Advocacy for the Right of the Child to Family Environment and Better Care” program, organized by Save the Children. Participants studied the key provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the principles of the child’s best interests, and the role of family care in a child’s development.

Special attention was given to the issue of institutionalization, its consequences, and ways to reform the child care system, emphasizing the importance of alternative care and family support to prevent children from being placed in institutional facilities. A significant part of the training focused on advocacy mechanisms that help drive changes in child protection systems and the role of NGOs in this process. The training also covered safety standards in working with children, including safeguarding principles and mechanisms for monitoring children’s rights.

“In our work, we face daily challenges that affect the well-being of children and their families. Ensuring better care for every child is not just about changing approaches but about creating a safe environment where children can develop, receive support, and realize their rights. That is why we pay special attention to child protection issues, particularly in frontline communities,” noted Oksana Ivatina.

The knowledge gained will enable us to provide more effective family support and reduce the number of children placed in institutional care. We continue working to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a nurturing environment and reach their full potential, even in the most challenging conditions.